May we introduce you to a new source of information..?

Our dear reader, we are no longer updating this blog. 

We would like to introduce you to Hostelling International Blog that has interesting articles coming up constantly about the destinations where you find HI hostels around the world - including Finland!

And also if Finland is your destination, do book your stay in one of our lovely hostels around the country on hihostels.com Finland pages. 

Ja jos olet suomalainen ja/tai suomenkielinen lukijamme, siirryhän sulavasti Hostelliviesti-blogimme pariin. Sieltä löydät uutta luettavaa hostellimatkailusta Suomessa jatkossakin. 

Special Offer at Stadion Hostel in Helsinki - also your last chance to experience a hostel stay in Helsinki Olympic Stadium

Time is running out! Stadion Hostel at the Helsinki Olympic Stadium will close its doors for good at the end of September due to extensive renovations at the stadium. If you still wish to experience this unique location and traditional hostel atmosphere, we have a great offer for you.

With a Hostelling International membership, you get a 20% discount
when mentioning the code LAST CHANCE.

Bookings must be made directly to Stadion Hostel, either by phone +358 9 477 8480 or email info@stadionhostel.fi

Conditions:

• Bookings directly to the hostel
• The offer is valid with a valid Hostelling International membership. Membership will be checked on arrival.
• The offer is valid for stays that take place by 30 April 2015.
• The offer is only valid for new bookings.
• The discount is calculated from normal rates and it cannot be combined with any other offer.

HI Finland selects a rural hostel in Central Finland as its Hostel of the Year

Vaihelan Tila has been awarded the title of Hostel of the Year 2015 by HI Finland. The hostel, with its surrounding farm, is located in the village of Pappinen, in Joutsa. The owners of Vaihelan Tila, Birgitta and Juha Ruohtula, offer a diverse package of services giving travellers a genuine experience of life in the Finnish countryside. The farm has offered accommodation to travellers for five decades.

It continues to be active in forestry and arable farming, along with a mixture of animals from cats to wild boars. The farm buildings include a small farm museum with a display of historical agricultural items. A wood-heated sauna welcomes guests in the hostel grounds. A smoke sauna is also available on reservation, offering a different flavour of the Finnish sauna culture. The smoke sauna is located on the lakeshore, a short walk from the hostel. There is also a jetty for swimming. Swimming is possible even in winter – if you are brave enough to take a dip in a hole in the ice!

Birgitta enjoys her work in the hostel: “My work is so varied; every day is different. I get to meet people from all over the world. And the best thing is that the same guests keep coming back again and again.”

In the heart of Finnish Lakeland

Joutsa is a small rural town that offers travellers an unhurried experience and lots of local culture. Birgitta has her own favourite pastimes in Joutsa: “When I do my shopping in summer, I sometimes like to sit down in the market café to enjoy a cup of coffee. I visit the craft centre in the Taito Shop to get ideas and admire their colourful yarns. They often have exhibitions as well. The library in the town centre is a nice place to visit.”

For tourists, Birgitta further recommends Leivonmäki National Park, Haihatus Art Centre, and several local craft boutiques, such as Design Pylsy and Pikkupuoti. Joutsa also offers lots of opportunities for recreation, such as horse riding and motor sports.

Hostel Vaihelan Tila wants to offer a quality hostel experience

The Ruohtulas cultivate a high-quality customer experience by developing their hostel activities and participating in HI Finland’s trips to hostels in other countries to pick up new ideas. This year, the Ruohtulas will begin work on implementing Hostelling International’s HI Quality system. Their hostel offers accommodation for 14 people in rooms with 1-4 beds.

Every year, HI Finland awards a commendable hostel the title of Hostel of the Year. The selection criteria for this year’s award called for an active role in the development of activities along with positive customer feedback. The title has been awarded since 2004; Last year, the recipient was Laivahostel Borea in Turku.

Hostel Mannila in Finland – not your typical hostel experience

Located at the shores of largest lake in Finland, Hostel Mannila surely has a splendid location. Lake Saimaa and nearby Punkaharju ridge area offers one of the most scenic views in Finland and should be everybody’s to-do list while traveling in the land of midnight sun.

Hostel Mannila is ideal for those yearning for peaceful surroundings. Smell of freshly cut grass and home cooked breakfast are part of an authentic Finnish countryside experience. You can enjoy your stay in red-painted cottages, in a summer hostel or in a hotel. For those who not seek complete isolation, a town of Savonlinna is only 30 kilometres away.

Wide variety of activities offered ensures that no one can get easily bored: skiing tracks start from the door-step in the winter, kayaking in summertime, horse riding and lakeside sauna are just one few activities to be mentioned. Surrounding areas have plenty of sightseeing from war memorials to art exhibitions.

The reception and a restaurant are at the 'Rantakatti' building.

Midsummer is celebrated at Hostel Mannila with a bonfire at the lake.

If you’re looking for a place off-the-beaten track, Hostel Mannila should not be passed. Finnish Lakeland is waiting for you!

P.S. Did you know Lake Saimaa is home for the rarest seal in the world?

Hostel Mannila is open all year around. Book your stay at: www.hihostels.com


Article by Laura H.

Edited 16 February 2015

#ILoveTravellinginEurope, Happy European Tourism Day!

Did you know that today is the European Tourism Day?

That of course means that there is a reason to celebrate! Our theme of today (well, everyday) among hostelling network in Europe is I love travelling in Europe. You do too, don’t you?

Here’s some of us Finnish hostelling people revealing why they love travelling in Europe. Hopefully they can inspire you with their chosen destinations.

3 questions will be answered:

1. Why do I love travelling in Europe?
2. My favourite destination in Europe (outside Finland)
3. My favourite destination in Finland

Emmi 
Eurohostel, Helsinki

1. I love travelling in Europe because the connections are so smooth.
2. London has it all! There’s so much to see and do.
3. Lapland is my favourite destination in the whole world. I love its nature and the peaceful and quiet atmosphere you can find there. It’s a great and welcomed contrast that I find there for the hectic everyday life.

Emmi (left) and Lea from Eurohostel in Helsinki

Lea
Eurohostel, Helsinki

1. The sameness of how the systems work is refreshing sometimes, especially if I compare to Africa and Latin America, where I usually travel.
2. I love Estonia, I like their language especially!
3. Lakeland Finland - well, because of the lakes.

Annika
Eurohostel, Helsinki

1. It’s fairly cheap to move around Europe
2. I was surprised by how beautiful Scotland is.
3. Lapland and over there especially Levi are special because of their ambience in the winter with all that snow. It’s full of magic and has a very Christmassy atmosphere.

Annika from Eurohostel in Helsinki

Birgitta
Hostel Vaihelan Tila, Joutsa

1. The distances are short, it doesn't take much time to fly from one destination to another. That makes short breaks possible. The architecture and culture of the old European cities are interesting, worth experiencing.
2. Reykjavik in Iceland has been the most memorable trip. I'd like to get to know the whole island outside the capital city too.
3. To be honest I travel abroad more! Though I am planning to make day trips to neighbouring towns to see local culture and art.

Birgitta from Hostel Vaihelan Tila in Joutsa